With four days left in the session, Utahns will see an uncharacteristic amount of energy on the Hill. Today's compromise on a bill to modernize the state's tourism-killing liquor laws will likely fly through both Houses. And the budget, with some borrowing and federal help that Republicans don't like to talk about, will be balanced.

What you won't see is much progress on reforming the ethics fiasco that was the hot-button issue of the last election. A couple minor ethics adjustments — a ban on lawmakers pocketing campaign money when they leave office and another not banning but requiring disclosure of most gifts — things that wouldn't be considered political reform outside of Zimbabwe, probably will pass.

Other two other bills, including a speed limit on the revolving door between holding office and lobbying, have a slim chance of getting through the Senate. But the vast majority of the more than 30 other ethics reforms proposed this session are DOA.

The 2010 session will be in an election year for many lawmakers, but will anyone remember that the ethics mess was never resolved?